Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 7 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Visiting Speakers - Relevant and appropriate expert visiting speakers are sourced by the Course Leader and are invited to speak to all students full & part-time in all modules and / or in a faculty wide delivery.

In addition, ALL students are offered as part of their CPD opportunities to attend professional Branch events by professional bodies such as APM, CIMA / ACCA; CIM, CIPD; Legal Organisations & Professional bodies; CIPS, CILT. Also, the ‘Global Choices’ series at USW which attracts highly successful business leaders with global footprint. These opportunities are offered across FBS.

Specific P3M employer speakers to assist assignments and provide insights into current practices and issues have been used since 2014, for example from organisations such as: -

· APM UK· CIPS UK· CILT UK· MOD Abbey Wood (Bristol)· Lloyds Bank plc (Bristol)· Aneurin Bevan Health Board (ABUHB)· General Dynamics · Babcock (Bristol)· Airbus Defence & Space (Newport)· Airbus (Broughton)· Hinkley Point C Project· Seda International Packaging (Blackwood)· Welsh Government (Cardiff & Swansea)· BAE Systems (Glascoed)· British Airways Maintenance BAM (Cardiff)· General Electric (Nantgarw)· The Royal Mint (Llantrisant)· Panasonic (Cardiff)· Aerospace Wales (Waterton Technology Centre)· Control 2K (Waterton Technology Centre)· Dow Corning (Barry)· Aurora International (Neath / Port Talbot).

Volunteering - To enter the ‘APM Project Management Challenge’, which is run annually and requires students to volunteer to enter as a project team.

The prime objective of the SWWE PM Challenge is to deliver a range of professional learning benefits to individual team members as well as corporate participants. The ‘Challenge’ has a CSR impact for organisations competing as the project selection must demonstrate some CSR value for the organisation and the local community.

USW competed in the ‘Challenge’ in 2018 in partnership with our customer the Aneurin Bevan Health Board (ABUHB) in a project that that focused on the collection of foot and ankle condition outcomes, within the community, and the identification of current patient pathways.

This project was supervised from USW by Chris Lee (MSc PM Course Leader) and Martin Rowling Head of Business Clinic and through the USW Exchange with Adel Cahill Adele Cahill (Aneurin Bevan UHB – Head of Value-Based Health Care at ABUHB. The project team consisted of students who volunteered from MSc programmes across FBS.

This was USW’s first year in competing and although not winner 1st prize in 2018, the USW project won the best story board prize.

USW – Project Management ‘Best Story Board’ Prize 2018

https://www.apm.org.uk/news/fourth-swwe-project-management-challenge-competition-finals-and-awards-night/

Fieldwork - Students are encouraged as APM student members to engage with and network with APM ‘Subject Interest Groups’ (SIGs) for field work by individual SIGs if a dissertation aligns to an APM SIG.

https://www.apm.org.uk/community/

Fieldtrips - Full time students will visit a project-based organisation as arranged by the Course Leader or the relevant Module Tutors as part of their exposure to current project organisations / environments and CPD development.

For part-time students it is expected that the majority of these students completing this MSc course are already in employment, but are still invited to attend any pre-arranged field trips.

Employer Forums - The MSc PM Course Leader is a member of Aerospace Wales Forum and also the APM SWWE Branch Corporate Advisory Group (BCAG) where he and Prof. Hefin Rowlands have presented key-note lectures to BCGA on numerous occasions over the past 3 years and will continue to do so in the future.

Other - As a benefit of the APM accreditation all students qualify for free student membership to APM when studying the MSc Project Management programme. https://www.apm.org.uk/joining-apm/

Alongside the APM SIGs mentioned in ‘field work’ above, all MSc PM students are encouraged to get involved and engage with the local APM branch (South Wales & West of England) to develop their local communication and professional networking skills.

Means of Assessment

Learning Support

Induction - Students will enjoy a comprehensive induction programme at the start of the course. Induction content will introduce all aspects of student life such as VLE training, pastoral care and wider University services, alongside events to build course identity. The induction will also be utilised to lay-down student expectations at the beginning of the course, familiarising students with pedagogic approach employed in this program, assessment strategy besides setting expectations for students in terms of academic progression.

The MSc Project Management induction also includes exposure to free APM student membership and also industry visiting lectures if available from APM UK, APM local Branch (SW&WE), industry links from the range of companies outlined in Section H above.

https://www.apm.org.uk/joining-apm/

Office hours - This information will be provided to students at induction. In addition, students will be advised about where they can find help outside of normal working hours in case of an emergency. Part-time and online students can contact the course team by email or arrange Skype calls at mutually convenient times.

Tutorials - CAS sessions (online and offline) will incorporate tutorial activity for targeted academic and employability skills development support.

Seminars - As can be seen in the learning and teaching section, seminars will be used as a pedagogical device. This will allow contextualisation and application of theoretical concepts explored throughout the module.

Formative Assessment - The use of seminars will allow formative assessment to be embedded in the course. Additionally, the use of online learning will encourage students to engage with formative assessment.

Progress meetings - These will be arranged as required on a 1-2-1 basis between the student and the course leader.

Also through the Course Rep / Student Voice process to ensure quality assurance and continuous improvement within the MSc Project Management.

Research Supervision - ‘Specialist’ dissertation supervision will be allocated, where possible in line with students’ chosen area of research.

Online Resources - All module content will be made available on UniLearn (VLE Blackboard). Additional online academic support will be provided as part of the CAS provision. All modules make use of UniLearn for web-enhanced delivery to at least the recommended minimum standard and for communications with students. Additional support is provided through the Student Development and Study Skills Service who have self-directed online materials and tutorials. All modules will be prepared for online delivery.

Advice Zones - There is a Student Advice Zone located at the Treforest Campus and City Campus, Newport and also provision for online support. They provide confidential guidance and advice to students on all aspects of their university experience and are integrated to make direct referrals University Professional and Support Services.

Further information on their services and availability can be found here: Advice Zone Online http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3024-advice-zones

DDS Service - As per QAA subject benchmarks, the University will ensure that the curriculum and learning opportunities are inclusive and therefore reasonable adjustments will be made to accommodate needs of students with disabilities.

Students requiring support for their studies are assessed by the Student Services Team and individual Learning Support Plans are put in place. For more information see - Disability Service - https://disability.southwales.ac.uk/

IT/Library - Module resources and texts are where possible available electronically and any core texts for the course are stocked at Treforest library.

There is a dedicated Business School Librarian who guest delivers within modules, appropriate training to students at both the Treforest and Newport Campus. This training includes demonstrations and workshops for example on how to use USW FindIt, identifying sources of quality information, etc. The Librarian also offers students’ one-to-one or small group bespoke support.

For more information see: Library Services at the University of South Wales. There are computer labs with open access on both campuses, ensuring students have access to PCs. Wi-Fi is also available across both campuses and students can loan laptops for independent-study.

Information on IT facilities and support can be found here: IT, Media and Technical Services - https://library.southwales.ac.uk/

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

The following progression routes are available: DBA or a PhDIf the award is a progression route for other courses, please specify which and where they are delivered: Course: DBA or a PhD Location: Treforest campus

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

Entry point 1 - Full-time & Part-time delivery (180 Credit) MSc Project Management To be admitted for the MSc Project Management, an undergraduate honours degree from a recognised or accredited university with a minimum 2:2 or equivalent or recognised international equivalent qualification. Or, Relevant project management related work experience will also be considered for those who have worked in a project organisation or environment. https://www.southwales.ac.uk/courses/msc-project-management/ Entry points 2 & 3 - Part-time 80 credit MSc Project Management exemption route (on-campus & off-campus delivery) Applicants for the part-time 80 credit exemption route of the MSc Project Management will be required to demonstrate: -

• Five years’ practitioner experience working as a project manager and /or in a project environment or organisation, with experience covering the areas within of the 4 exempted modules. This will enable 50 credits of exemptions. Plus,

• The APM P level 7 qualification or the APM PMQ level 7 qualification will enable a further additional 30 credits exemptions. https://www.southwales.ac.uk/courses/msc-project-management/3040/fast-track-your-project-management-masters-degree/ Entry point 4 - Part-time 120 credit MSc Project Management exemption route (off-campus delivery)

• APMP OR APMPMQ level 7 qualification

• 5 years or more experience working as a project manager or in a key role in a project team or in a project organisation / environment

• A p/g diploma in a business-related degree.

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A